EXCERPTS FROM EXTERNAL NEWS ARTICLES REGARDING THE NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS ARE POSTED UNDER THEIR SOURCES. MISCELLANEOUS SPORTS ARTICLES ARE POSTED UNDER THE "MISCELLANEOUS" SECTION AT THE END OF THE THREAD. LINKS FOR ALL LISTED SOURCES ARE INCLUDED TO ALLOW MEMBERS TO INDEPENDENTLY BROWSE AT THEIR LEISURE.

NEWARK STAR LEDGER

Jacquian Williams "pretty sure" last year's fumbles will be in 49ers' heads on Sunday

Excerpt: "Jacquian Williams is "curious" to see how he feels when he takes the field at Candlestick Park this Sunday.

The last time the second-year Giants linebacker was there was for the NFC Championship Game in January. And he made a decisive play in that victory, stripping the ball from punt returner Kyle Williams' grasp in overtime to set up Lawrence Tynes' game-winning field goal.

It was one of two costly fumbles Kyle Williams made in that game. When the 49ers see the Giants again this Sunday, could those mistakes be in their heads?

"I’m pretty sure," Jacquian Williams said. "I'm pretty sure any team would be. They’ll be aware of it, but I don't expect them to shy away from what their plans are to do. I don’t expect them to fair catch it or anything." Read more...

But there was some good news in there: Coughlin said Blackburn is scheduled to practice tomorrow and he's optimistic Nicks will practice this week. When Nicks does practice during the week it's usually been on Thursdays.

"Yes, hopefully," Coughlin answered when asked about Nicks. "We'll see. It's like any other week, but hopefully he'll get a practice in."

Coughlin said Brown, who is the third Giants player in five weeks to sustain a concussion, hasn't passed the league's concussion protocol." Read more...

Excerpt: "The Giants didn't practice and weren't made available to the media Tuesday, but the 49ers practiced and spoke to media. And there was plenty said about what has again become a heated rivalry between the two franchises. We'll get right into it.

49ERS

You can understand why anyone left on the 49ers roster from the disappointing loss to the Giants in the NFC Championship game would seek revenge Sunday. Kyle Williams tops that list. The wide receiver/returner cost the 49ers a trip to the Super Bowl with two turnovers on punt return, including a fumble in overtime that would set up Lawrence Tynes' game-winning field goal in overtime. Williams received death threats and it's been on his mind since. On Tuesday he admitted as much, telling reporters (http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2012/10/williams-49ers-say-giants-werent-head-hunting-in-january.html), "After what happened last year I definitely want to get back at these guys. We look at it as if they have something that we should have had," via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee." Read more...

Excerpt: "“How could we be satisfied?” Tom Coughlin said Monday. “We didn’t touch the passer again.”

That, of course, was an exaggeration. But not by much. The Giants were unable to land any solid hits on rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden, who was probably hit the hardest was when Umenyiora nearly strip sacked him on a play ruled an incomplete pass in the fourth quarter.

There were a few positives. Linebacker Chase Blackburn’s pressure forced Weeden’s pass to sail to Stevie Brown for an interception and the defensive line knocked down four of Weeden’s passes – rookie defensive tackle Markus Kuhn did it twice." Read more..

Giants: Ahmad Bradshaw says Hakeem Nicks gave "hint" that he will play Sunday

Excerpt: "Hakeem Nicks has missed the Giants' last three games with a combination of ailments. First, there's the pain in his surgically repaired right foot. Later, a knee injury he suffered win Week 2 against the Buccaneers caused swelling when he returned to practice.

Monday, Tom Coughlin said he wasn't ready to answer whether Nicks would practice this week. But at least one teammate believes the star wide receiver will be back in uniform in time for a highly anticipated matchup against the 49ers Sunday.

"I think he'll be here this week," Ahmad Bradshaw said in an interview on ESPN Radio this afternoon. "He seemed to give me a hint that he would be." Read more...

Excerpt: "One play Sunday afternoon summed up the way the Giants were able to physically take control of their 41-27 win against the Browns, despite Cleveland’s fast start.

It was Ahmad Bradshaw’s 37-yard run in the third quarter. TE Martellus Bennett, after suffering a hyperextended left knee (http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/10/giants_martellus_bennett_chris.html#incart_river), sealed the left edge by blocking Browns DE Juqua Parker. FB Henry Hynoski and C David Baas sprinted ahead of Bradshaw, Hynoski blocking LB L.J. Fort and Baas shoving S T.J. Ward out of the way." Read more...

SITE LINK (http://www.nj.com/giants/)

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS.

Giants' offensive line aims to keep Eli Manning off the turf this time around against 49ers

Excerpt: "The memories should come flooding back to the Giants on Sunday when they take the field at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, site of last season’s classic NFC Championship Game.

Their offensive linemen, however, have some things about that game they’d prefer to forget.

Aside from the sight of Lawrence Tynes’ game-winning, 31-yard overtime field goal sailing through the uprights and sending the Giants on to the Super Bowl, the lingering image from that game is that of a muddy Eli Manning getting up off the ground.

He took a brutal beating that day, absorbing six sacks and at least 12 hits from the fierce and physical 49ers defense.

Excerpt: "Tom Coughlin has repeatedly been asked for specifics about Nicks' injury, but other than saying there was "swelling" and admitting Nicks had an MRI, Coughlin wasn't talking. And Nicks hasn't talked at all since the knee injury was revealed.

Whatever the truth of the injury is, Bradshaw said that Nicks is just trying to make sure he doesn't rush back and reinjure it.

"Hakeem will be back and he'll be 100 percent when he does (return)," Bradshaw said. "He's just being careful and just taking his time. He wants to come back and be that play-maker he's always been with all he can. He doesn't want to come back and be missing game-in, game-out.

"So I think he's just being precautious about it. But I think he'll be fine." Read more...

Excerpt: "When Antrel Rolle slammed his left knee into an unsuspecting camera man on the sidelines in Carolina, he never imagined that he'd still be hurting three weeks later.

But he is, and he sounds like he doesn't expect his discomfort to go away anytime soon.

Rolle hasn't missed a game since then, but he said on Tuesday that his knee is a "lingering" issue that is still bothering him as the Giants prepare for their NFC championship game rematch in San Francisco. Speaking on WFAN, he said the knee -- which the Giants say was simply cut and bruised -- is "definitely better," but also definitely not 100 percent." Read more...

Excerpt: "
It’s another week and another long injury report for the Giants, who start off preparation for the 49ers with 13 players on the list. One familiar name on the list, Hakeem Nicks, did not practice on Wednesday but there is a sign of progress, as Tom Coughlin said the plan is for Nicks to get on the field sometime this week.

As the Giants practiced inside their field house, Nicks did some running and cutting outside on the grass and looked as if he was moving without favoring his right foot or left knee, the two problem areas that have kept him out of action for three straight games. The key for Nicks will be if he is able to practice on Thursday and if he does, how he responds afterward.

Several players who missed last week’s victory over the Browns were able to return to practice on some level. WR Ramses Barden (concussion) participated, as did RT David Diehl (knee), CB Jayron Hosley (hamstring) and LB Keith Rivers (hamstring). In addition, LB Michael Boley (hip) and S Antrel Rolle (knee) were on the field as well." Read more..

Giants' Tom Coughlin senses "nobody gives us a chance to win" against 49ers

As the hum created by a victory over the winless Browns quickly was drowned out by the immediate buzz generated for the upcoming game in San Francisco, Rolle was asked if he believed this is a date the 49ers have circled on their calendars.

“I don’t think so,’’ Rolle said. “I think they attack it the same way we’re attacking it. We play and we focus on the team that we have here and this is the matchup this week.’’

Perhaps the 49ers did not take the time for the physical action of picking up a marker and encircling Oct. 14 on the schedule but you know what goes down that afternoon at Candlestick Park is going to resonate deeply and passionately with Jim Harbaugh’s team. It was the Niners who were 13-3 last season, who had one home game standing in the way of a well-deserved trip to Super Bowl XLVI, who bludgeoned Eli Manning for more than four quarters. It was the 49ers who, in the weeks and months after the 20-17 overtime loss in the NFC Championship Game, decided they deserved to win, that the turnovers on special teams down the stretch were fluky and not indicative of how the brutally-rugged game was played and which team was supposed to move on." Read more...

Excerpt: "Kyle Williams circled this week's game against the Giants as soon as the NFL schedule was released in April.

He and his San Francisco 49ers teammates have some unfinished business against the Super Bowl champions.Williams' two turnovers on punt returns played a key role in helping the Giants win last season's NFC championship game 20-17 in overtime, costing San Francisco a trip to the Super Bowl.

"There's a few teams that I look forward to. Of course after what happened last year I definitely want to get back at these guys," Williams said Tuesday. "We look at it as if they have something that we should have had. We're going to make sure we don't leave anything on the field again." Read more...

Excerpt: "These things are always tricky, taking what one player “hears’’ from another and running with it as gospel. Tom Coughlin has been remarkably non-committal about the status of Hakeem Nicks and his availability for Sunday’s game in San Francisco but one of Nicks’ teammates, Ahmad Bradshaw, believes he knows the answer.“He’s tough … I think he will be there this week,’’ Bradshaw said Tuesday on ESPN New York radio. “He gave me a hint that he would be.’’ Read more...

Excerpt: "“I’m definitely better than I was three weeks ago,” Rolle said Tuesday during his weekly WFAN radio spot. “It’s a battle, it’s a constant battle each and every day.’’

Rolle was hurt in the Nov. 20 victory over the Panthers in Carolina when he slammed his left knee into a camera stationed just pas the left side of the end zone. He hasn’t missed a game since then with an injury that was initially called a bruise and a laceration. Rolle has been forced to miss practice time and it is clear he is managing himself through swelling and soreness.

“With this knee injury, it’s going to take some time,’’ Rolle said. “I never thought it would be this crucial. It’s a lingering process, not anything too serious, but it’s something that lingers around and sticks with you a little bit. But I’ll be fine and I will be out there for the game come Sunday.” Read more...

Excerpt: "Of course there was so much praise and exultation for what was accomplished, but amid the back-slaps there continue to be reminders the Giants — specifically their offensive linemen — would rather forget about one aspect of one of their proudest moments.

“It seems like that’s all I hear about, other than the Super Bowl, ‘You guys almost got Eli killed against San Francisco,’ ’’ guard Kevin Boothe said yesterday.

It is a great Monday to be one of the five starting linemen in a unit that kept Eli Manning nice and clean a day earlier, as he threw 37 passes, wasn’t sacked and was hit only one time by the Browns in a 41-27 victory. Protecting Manning hasn’t been a problem this season but running the ball has been, which is why the offensive line’s show of force in amassing 243 rushing yards is another reason why the line is riding high." Read more...

Excerpt: "Markus Kuhn was dismissed from the meeting room and made his way into the locker room before he stopped for a lesson in Chris Canty’s classroom.

The student and the teacher – teammates with eight seasons and five games of NFL experience, respectively – proceeded to shadowbox in front of Canty’s locker, running the gamut of technique tips and other in-game hints stored up along the way.

"I was just talking to Chris; sometimes I try to peek a little bit too much and see where the ball is going instead of staying in my gaps, staying lower, improve my pad level," Kuhn said. "So there are definitely things I have to work on. I told him and Rocky before the game and I tell them in practice, I say, ‘Guys, if you see anything which I’m doing wrong, immediately let me know.’ That’s why when I come on the sideline they’re coaching me up and that’s the great thing.

"If you have great veteran players and leaders on this team, they help you out." Read more...

The moment of truth for these Giants has arrived, beginning with their NFC Championship game rematch at Candlestick against a team picked by many to represent the NFC at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. Two NFC East showdowns follow this one (home to the Redskins, on the road at Dallas), but this game could go a long way toward showing everyone how good these teams are. The Giants have gained 1,877 yards over the past four games, the highest total over any four-game span in team history. The 49ers set a franchise record with 621 yards in beating Buffalo, and have won their last two games by a combined score of 79-3. Something will have to give Sunday." Read more...

Excerpt: "The lasting images of Victor Cruz's breakout year are the ones that show him streaking away from defenders, grabbing passes that soared over half the field and salsa dancing in the end zone.

he big play became his signature. The yards piled up so fast that he averaged 18.7 per catch, more than any other receiver with 50 receptions.

So Sunday's game was an odd one for him. For only the fourth time in the 18 regular-season games since he burst onto the scene in Philadelphia 12 months ago, he failed to post more than 50 receiving yards. They came on just five catches. Based on that, it would be tempting to think that the Cleveland Browns largely contained him—especially since they didn't have to worry about Hakeem Nicks, who was injured." Read more...

Excerpt: "One thing has been apparent as the New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/) Giants have meandered to a 3-2 record: the defensive line is not what we're used to seeing from Big Blue in recent years. Chris Canty returning from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list in a couple weeks should be a boost, but the Giants sure need some help on the outside as the pass rush and run containment just haven't been there, leaving Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora (http://www.giants101.com/tag/osi-umenyiora/)scratching their heads.

And for our money, Mathias Kiwanuka (http://www.giants101.com/tag/mathias-kiwanuka/) is our best bet for helping the defensive line reassert its ability to control a game.Before we talk about Kiwanuka, let's point out that the only five NFL (http://www.giants101.com/tag/nfl/) teams have less sacks than the New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/) Giants. And that's only half the problem: Demarco Murray ran for 131, LeSean McCoy (http://www.giants101.com/tag/lesean-mccoy/) for 123, and both DeAngelo Williams (http://www.giants101.com/tag/deangelo-williams/) (4.5 yards per carry) and Trent Richardson (http://www.giants101.com/tag/trent-richardson/) (67 yards and a touchdown in the first half) were gashing the Giants up until their teams fell behind and had to throw the ball." Read more...

Several Giants nearing a return and more for afternoon tea with Tom Coughlin

Excerpt: "New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/) Giants head coach Tom Coughlin hit the podium for his weekly press conference with anything but a smile on Wednesday. Coming off a huge 41-27 victory over the Cleveland Browns (http://www.giants101.com/2012/10/08/new-york-giants-monday-morning-hangover-plenty-to-nitpick-after-41-27-victory-over-browns/) on Sunday, he was already looking ahead to a week six matchup with the San Francisco (http://www.giants101.com/tag/san-francisco/) 49ers … and isn't happy that "no one" is giving them a chance."

"The good news is that Kenny Phillips is scheduled to do some individual work with trainers today to see where he is in his progression. Additionally, Coughlin is "hopeful" that Nicks will be able to practice this week. That actually adds some credibility to what running back Ahmad Bradshaw said (http://www.giants101.com/2012/10/09/new-york-giants-ahmad-bradshaw-thinks-hakeem-nicks-will-play-on-sunday/) on Tuesday, when he said he received a hint that the wide receiver would suit up this weekend.

Meanwhile, Coughlin says Snee, Barden, Boley and Rivers will all practice today. Diehl and Hosley will be limited, while Brown, Blackburn, Bernard and Bennett will sit out." Read more...

Excerpt: "When the New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/) Giants played the San Francisco (http://www.giants101.com/tag/san-francisco/) 49ers in week 10 of the 2011 season, wide receiver Victor Cruz (http://www.giants101.com/tag/victor-cruz/) was still only mid-way through his breakout year. There were still some questions about where he had come from and whether or not his success was a fluke. His salsa dance, which had great meaning to him after learning it from his Grandmother, was also the target of several defenders including 49ers defensive back Carlos Rogers (http://www.giants101.com/tag/carlos-rogers/) … who used it to mock Cruz in a 27-20 San Francisco (http://www.giants101.com/tag/san-francisco/) victory." Read more...

Excerpt: "The 2011-2012 NFC Championship game may have been one of the most physical, violent and mentally demanding games played in the NFL (http://www.giants101.com/tag/nfl/) over the last decade. It's been referred to as a "blood bath" by several players, and many expect something similar this Sunday when the New York (http://www.giants101.com/tag/new-york/) Giants andSan Francisco 49ers (http://www.giants101.com/tag/san-francisco-49ers/) square off.

49ers quarterback Alex Smith (http://www.giants101.com/tag/alex-smith/) believes they have some "unfinished business (http://www.latimes.com/sports/football/nfl/la-sp-farmer-nfl-20121009,0,2393808.story)" to attend to, while former Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham (http://www.giants101.com/tag/mario-manningham/) hasalready begun his chirping (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/20514134/giants-notebook-is-mario-manningham-talking-trash). Thus far, however, the Giants have played it relatively cool – almost like the calm before the storm.
"They have a good defense. You got to give them credit and they touched Eli way too many times [in the NFC Championship game], so that’s something that we got to focus on," center David Baas said." Read more...

Excerpt: "Brandon Jacobs has yet to carry the football in a regular-season game for the San Francisco 49ers. Somehow, though, you just know the opinionated former New York Giants' running back will be a big part of the story -- if not the game itself -- leading up to Sunday's Giants-49ers game at Candlestick Park.

The game, of course, reunites Jacobs and Mario Manningham with the team they helped win a Super Bowl last season." Read more...

Excerpt: "Former Rutgers University running back Joe Martinek is back with the New York Giants, having been added to the team's practice squad on Tuesday.

Martinek, an undrafted free agent, was with the Giants during the preseason and was impressive enough that there was some thought he would make the practice squad from the beginning. He caught two passes in the preseason for 21 yards and a touchdown, but was waived before the season started.

The Giants brought him back Tuesday, however. To make room on the eight-man practice squad the Giants terminated the contract of defensive end Craig Marshall." Read more..

NFL Power Rankings, Week 6: Giants a top ten team, at least msot people think so

Excerpt: "Let's look around at some of the NFL Power Rankings for Week 6 that were released on Tuesday and see what folks around the Inter-Google think of the 3-2 New York Giants (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-york-giants).

SBNation.com, otherwise known as the mothership, has the Giants ranked No. 11. Here is NFL editor Joel Thorman's rationale:

"The verge of the top 10 seems about right for a good yet flawed Giants team."

Agree or disagree with that, Giants' fans? Read on and you will discover that EVERYONE else -- at least everyone else who's opinion we have bothered to include -- thinks the Giants are a top 10 team." Read more...

Excerpt: "It is time for this week's New York Giants (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-york-giants) roster power rankings, where we rank the players on the active roster from 1-53.

The results are cumulative and based mostly on this season's body of work. A player's past accomplishments are also weighed into their ranking, but the most important factor is the overall contribution to this season's Giants' team. The deeper we get into the season the more difficult it is not to overreact to one performance or one or two plays.

3. Ahmad Bradshaw (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/16768/ahmad-bradshaw) -- Just when some scribes were starting to wonder how much gas he had left in the tank (OK, I was starting to wonder) he comes up with the defining performance of his career. Pro Football Focus said 70 of Bradshaw's 200 yards rushing came after contact, which is a testament to how hard he ran against the Cleveland Browns (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/cleveland-browns). LW: 12

4. Will Beatty (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71290/will-beatty) -- Amazed that Beatty is this high? I am, too. Part of that is that Beatty has been rock at left tackle since returning to the lineup, earning a +10.2 grade from Pro Football Focus. The other part of that is that after the awful defense the Giants played the last two week there is no way any defensive player deserves to be this high. Beatty, incidentally, has yet to allow a quarterback hit, or even a hurry. LW: 8

5. Jason Pierre-Paul (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/108442/jason-pierre-paul) -- I am only grudgingly putting Pierre-Paul this high. He said before the Cleveland game that he wasn't having any fun. Well, it's not much fun watching him plow straight ahead and get stoned at the line of scrimmage, either. The Giants need more than what they have gotten from JPP lately. LW: 3

6. Antrel Rolle (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1769/antrel-rolle) -- As usual, it sort of bugs me to put him this high. But, I can't find a reason to really drop him lower. Or, anyone who absolutely has to be pushed above him. LW: 5

7. Martellus Bennett (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34521/martellus-bennett) -- Count me among those that was impressed by Bennett's courage on Sunday, playing much of the game with a hyper-extended knee and blocking well enough to help the Giants have their best day running the ball in two years. This guy is en route to earning himself a big contract. LW: 16

8. Chris Snee (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2256/chris-snee) -- Playing very well, and the Giants' offensive line is playing as well as it has in a long, long time. LW: 10

9. Linval Joseph (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/108661/linval-joseph) -- You guys have been calling for it, and even though Sunday wasn't his best game I don't think I can keep him out of the top 10. LW: 13

10. Rocky Bernard (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2289/rocky-bernard) -- They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. He drops one spot, which isn't nearly as much as he might have after not playing Sunday. Bernard has been terrific this season, and the Giants' really missed the big defensive tackle against the Browns. LW: 9

Excerpt: "According to the Daily News in New York, the Giants’ coaches are now “excited” about David Wilson. It looks like Wilson has finally worked his way out of the doghouse. With Ahmad Bradshaw coming off a 34-touch day and Andre Brown still dealing with a concussion, the first-round rookie is prepping for a real offensive role this week.The Daily News says Wilson “should get a share of the load on Sunday.” Read more...

Excerpt: "Hakeem Nicks (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/12586/hakeem-nicks) did some running on the side and looked quick and agile.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Nicks will not practice today, but he is hopeful the wide receiver will practice sometime this week.

Seeing Nicks move side to side, backpedal and run somewhere between half to three-quarters pace is encouraging and a positive step toward playing against San Francisco on Sunday. If Nicks can practice on Thursday and come out of it with no setback to his knee or surgically repaired foot, the receiver will be on track to returning. He has missed the last three games." Read more...

Excerpt: "The San Francisco 49ers (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/sf/san-francisco-49ers) may be the ones looking for a measure of revenge when they face the New York Giants (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/nyg/new-york-giants) on Sunday.

But the Giants' offensive line will be looking for some redemption as well.

During the Giants' 20-17 overtime victory over the Niners in the NFC Championship game last season, Eli Manning (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/5526/eli-manning) was sacked six times and officially hit 12 times -- although it was more like 20 times.

The Niners' defense punished Manning, who delivered perhaps the toughest performance of his career.

Even though the Giants won one of the most physical conference championship games in recent memory, the offensive line still remembers seeing its quarterback get hit way too much. " Read more...

But Rolle won't exchange pleasantries with his former teammates once the game starts.

"It is going to be good to see those guys and play against them," Rolle said in his weekly spot on WFAN radio. "We are all great friends off the field. On the field ... if that means bring the noise, then so be it, we are definitely going to bring the noise.

"We will hug and shake hands after the game," Rolle continued. "But during that game time, there won't be any patting on the butt." Read more...

Excerpt: "All those people that Tom Coughlin believes are picking (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/10/martellus-bennett-one-of-seven-giants-to-miss-practice/) against the Giants this weekend may feel more secure about their decision after a look at the team’s practice report from Wednesday.

Seven Giants missed the session, including tight end Martellus Bennett (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4639/martellus-bennett). Bennett left Sunday’s win over the Browns a couple of times with a knee injury, but returned to finish the game. Bennett told reporters, including Ralph Vacchiano of theNew York Daily News, that he “messed some s— up (https://twitter.com/RVacchianoNYDN/status/256096214322397184)” in his knee in that game. He hopes to be able to play against the 49ers, but isn’t sure whether the messed up s— will resolve itself in time to allow that to happen." Read more...

##

SITE LINK (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/19/jets-reportedly-plan-to-use-tim-tebow-as-red-zone-quarterback/related/)

CBSSPORTS

SITE LINK
(http://www.cbssports.com/nfl)
FOXSPORTS

SITE LINK (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team/new-york-giants/67056?q=new-york-giants)

Excerpt: "Here are the top 15 story lines in a Week Six that includes some interesting non-conference matchups:

4. Of course, the Giants should be in the discussion for best team in the NFC, too. Despite two divisional losses, they have handled adversity well, have received some great out-of-nowhere performances (who needs Mario Manningham anyway?) and will be very much prepared for the 49ers’ toughness and strength in the trenches. The Giants ran the spots off the ball against the Browns — a season-high 243 yards as a team, and a career-best 200 forAhmad Bradshaw — but they know the challenge will be tougher against the 49ers, who allow a mere 3.5 yards per run. “We need to build on (the Browns game),” Giants C David Baas said. “We’ve just got to continue to work toward that and have that same rhythm. We know it’s going to be a challenge going out there. They have a really good defense.” A fun but irrelevant note: It will be the Niners’ third straight (and final, at least until the postseason) game against a New York-based team. There are no more New York-based teams left." Read more...

Will Hill / S / New York Giants
Hill, a first-year player, helped the Giants pull away, and finish off, the Browns with his play on special teams. The game was tied at 17 when Hill knocked the ball away from Browns WR-RS Josh Cribbs during a second-quarter kickoff return. Giants S Stevie Brown recovered the loose ball, and the Giants, who trailed 17-7 at one point in the second quarter, never looked back, marching to a 41-27 win. Hill also recovered the ball when the Browns attempted an onside kick with 3:56 left in the fourth quarter. “He made a nice play on the on-side,” Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said. “That was kind of goofy, I don’t know if that could be duplicated that kind of chip. … He was right on the spot. He’s a worker and hustler and he played a lot.” Hill is suspended for the next four games for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. " Read more...

Excerpt: "The Giants gained ground in the NFC East race as the Redskins (who lost a QB) and Eagles (who might change QBs) fell in close games and the Cowboys licked their wounds on bye. Here's a quick spin around what happpened the division in Week Five.

GIANTS

What we learned: A 14-0 deficit is just par for the course. For the second time against a team coming off a horrible season, the Giants have staked an opponent a two-TD lead at home — and in this case, it was to the winless Browns. But in both cases, the Giants have come back with a vengeance. They fired back offensively, despite being without WRs Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden and with TE Martellus Bennett missing time during the game, and eventually overwhelmed the Browns in a 41-27 victory. The Giants caught fire during a 27-3 run (including the final 20 points of the first half) as Victor Cruz and Ahmad Bradshaw turned in personal bests with three receiving TDs and 200 yards rushing, respectively." Read more...